There are three critical elements to any effective and profitable viral marketing campaign:

1. Be something unique or a new and clever twist on an existing product. Viral marketing campaigns are all about generating and sustaining momentum—if you’ve nothing to really talk about, then sustaining the drive and profits will a little more than difficult.
2. Must offer a true benefit to anyone you are hoping to “infect” with your marketing effort. Is there any incentive for the person to pass on your message? Establishing an affiliate program is a great way to offer incentive while increasing sales and building more momentum in your marketing efforts.
3. Have simple way to spread your virus or marketing message. This will be your link but one famous one to remember is the Hotmail sign-up at the bottom of all their e-mails. One the reasons why everyone now has a free e-mail account of some sort is due to Hotmail blazing the trail back in the late 90’s—it was one of the most effective viral marketing campaigns ever.

More of this is covered in my Viral Marketing Blackbook.

Enjoy

Stanley Tang